Cabinet shuffle

[liberty]

So Gerry Ritz is the new agriculture minister, replacing Chuck Strahl who moves to Indian Affairs.

What do you folks think of the new minister?

What changes do you see in the future, especially regarding the CWB file?

[northfarmer]

Below is a bio on Mr. Ritz, my thoughts are Chuch did a heck of a job, not easy taking the presonal verbal and print abuse he has. I wish him well in his new post.
As to Ritz, good ole Sask farm boy and one that has a extremly strong conviction for choice. Think the board of directors of the CWB should pay head and respect their new Minister. Time to quit the political bashing and retoric and accept the fact that change is going to happen. And that they need to learn to adapt and truly become something that will work for all farmers.
Erik


Gerry Ritz was first elected to Parliament in 1997. He was re-elected in 2000, 2004 and 2006. Most recently, Mr. Ritz was the Chair of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food. He previously served as the Critic for Agriculture and Agri-Food and for Public Works and Government Services.

Mr. Ritz also served as Deputy Whip and Question Period Coordinator for the Official Opposition. He was Chair of the Subcommittee on the Estimates Process and a member of the standing committees on Finance and on Transport, the Subcommittee on Private Members' Business and the Liasion Committee.

During his career, Mr. Ritz has run his own farming operation, owned and operated a general contracting business and co-owned a weekly newspaper. Prior to entering politics, he worked as constituency coordinator for former Saskatchewan MP, Elwin Hermanson. He was actively involved in the Rosetown Economic Development Committee, the Knights of Columbus, and coaching children's hockey.

Mr. Ritz is married to Judy and has two adult children.

[freewheat]

A WESTERN farmer as Wheat board minister? Could it be?

[parsley]

Gerry Ritz is strongly committed to providing the same to Westerners that Easterners have enjoyed for years and years.

Parsley

[freewheat]

Excellente'!!!! Maybe I would grow wheat again for human connsumption...

[agstar77]

Price of failure, Herr Harper has banished Strahl to Indian affairs. He should make as many friends with his co-operative approach as he did in Western Canada. He didn't solve any of the tough problems eg. CAIS or transportation , but instead tilted at windmills to try to implement the Reform philosophy of all for one. Ritz may have the same views but he may know more about agriculture and what is really important.

[stubblejumper]

A Bankrupt farmer in charge of Agriculture? Why not.

[craig]

Interesting the ag minister shuffle was hardly noted by the media in Alberta. (Calgary, Edmonton) Also implied that Ag to Indian affairs was not deemed a demotion. Strong message, media and politicians don't really care about agriculture. While it might make the Strahl haters happy there is no indication that the government's position has changed.

[just_wondering]

Indian affairs is a high profile post for Strahl, relatively safe and non confrontational compared to Agriculture at least the natives can ALL agree they have not had good policies from the FED. That weasel chretien started in IA and went to the top from there
What did poor Peter McCay do to deserve defense? Is Harper sending him to the hinterlands to keep away leadership rivals?
Good luck to Ritz he wil need it

[BennyHin]

What happened to David Anderson Franny?

He was your choice?

Harper isnt as stupid as he looks.